The Linux Executive Report from IBM
August 19, 2014
The Linux Executive Report from IBM: August 19, 2014. A monthly summary of important trends and market research, case studies and information about IBM's Linux initiatives of interest to senior management.
Linux News
IBM's recent series of announcements and investments are putting the company at the forefront of Linux development and use, and giving clients the capability to both get more out of their current Power Systems investments and migrate existing Linux on x86 deployments to a more substantial platform, writes Karen J. Bannan in IBM Systems Magazine.
In a new PowerLinux community blog, Jeff Scheel, IBM Linux on Power Chief Engineer, reflects on the broader meaning of IBM's release of firmware for use in the OpenPOWER Ecosystem.
In a new Linux Foundation blog, Katherine Noyes looks at version 3.16 of the Linux kernel, which was released on August 3. According to Noyes, Linux 3.16 is particularly important for its expanded ARM support, improvements to the control group feature, and enhancements to the kernel's collection of drivers.
An eWeek slideshow looks at the widespread use of the open source operating system in everything from cell phones to refrigerators to cars. Linux is a key element in open source innovation, and the platform is prevalent in many new applications.
New IBM research finds that seven out of 10 organizations recognize IT infrastructure plays an important role in enabling competitive advantage or optimizing revenue and profit. However, less than 10% of companies believe that their IT infrastructure is fully prepared to meet the demands of mobile technology, social media, big data, and cloud computing.
Canonical Founder and Chairman Mark Shuttleworth and IBM Power Systems General Manager Doug Balog teamed up in a YouTube video titled, "Cloud Magic! Ubuntu on IBM Power Systems with POWER8."
Inside Linux at IBM
There are powerful forces having a dramatic effect on IT today: cloud, data, and open standards. IBM's new Power Systems servers addresses all three, writes Anirban Chatterjee, Power Systems Product Marketing, IBM, in a blog.
In a new blog, T. R. Bosworth, Offering Manager for Power Virtualization, IBM, writes about the launch of PowerKVM, which represents the first time IBM is offering open hypervisor technology in addition to its proprietary PowerVM on Power:
Inside IBM's Linux Partners
The Linux Foundation's 2014 Linux Training Scholarship Program is now open for submissions. The Linux Training Scholarship Program provides funds to developers, IT professionals and students who want to build Linux careers and shape the future of the operating system and the enterprise, but who otherwise do not have the ability to attend Linux Foundation training courses.
The openSUSE community has announced Docker containers for its latest openSUSE release, 13.1.
Linux and KVM Events
KVM is an industry leading open source hypervisor that provides an ideal platform for data center virtualization, virtual desktop infrastructure, and cloud computing.
LinuxCon Europe is the place to learn from the best and the brightest, delivering content from the leading maintainers, developers and project leads in the Linux community and from around the world.
Registration is open for the OpenStack Summit, which will be held in Paris, November 3-7.
Red Hat Summit brings together thought leaders and executives from across the technology industry to participate in keynotes and sessions on community, innovation, collaboration and customer success. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Red Hat product teams, hear from expert users at leading customer and partner companies, get hands-on training and learn best practices and strategies for innovation and success.
SUSE is now accepting session proposals and attendee registration is open for its annual global end user conference, SUSECon 2014. The event is scheduled for Nov. 17-21 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. SUSECon will feature in-depth information on Linux plus the latest open source technologies for cloud computing, big data and software-defined data center platforms. In addition, SUSE certification exams will be provided to conference attendees at no additional cost.
With sessions that are consistently rated as excellent in the annual attendee survey, and recognized as the highlight of the conference, SUSECon presents content from SUSE employees, customers, partners and other contributors.
Linux and KVM Success Stories
Whether your business provides big data and analytics to others, or you use big data and analytics to enhance your own products, research and marketing, it is necessary to have a fast, efficient and reliable infrastructure and architecture.
In 2013, Bon Ton Stores invested in upgrading IT, continuing to update and expand its eCommerce sites, and launching a new mobile site supporting delivery of promotions and online purchasing.
Business Connexion (BCX) is a leading integrator of innovative business solutions based on information and communications technology (ICT).
Banca Carige Group (Banca Carige), one of the largest banks in Italy, has built an analytics environment and a new mobile banking service using IBM software on IBM zEnterprise EC12 mainframes, which provide round-the-clock availability and high security.
Although big data promises to dramatically alter the business environment, technology is only a decision enabler.
Porto Alegre, the capital city of Brazil's southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, has used IT innovation to drive continual improvements to public services.
The Met Office, the United Kingdom's national weather service, works with customers in retail, energy, utility, insurance, transport and aviation industries - and offers services and reporting tailored to those sectors.